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Svenja Huth in the DFB jersey 2023

Photo: Sebastian Gollnow / dpa

The 88-time national soccer player Svenja Huth ended her international career four months before the start of the Olympic Games.

The 33-year-old from VfL Wolfsburg announced this on Sunday.

»I'm happy that I was able to do my part to get the Olympic ticket at the end.

However, the time was both physically and mentally challenging and exhausting, so I came to the decision to end my career in the national team," said Huth after interim national coach Horst Hrubesch was selected by winning the game for third place in the Nations League in the Netherlands (2-0) qualified for the Summer Games in Paris (July 26th to August 11th).

»Svenja Huth’s achievements are huge«

»I look back on my 18 years as a national player with pride and humility.

We were able to celebrate great titles together with the fans, but also get up together again after setbacks." Their greatest successes are the European Championship title in 2013, the Olympic victory three years later and reaching the final at the European Championships in 2022 in England.

Her surprising decision has several private and sporting reasons.

Last September, Huth and his wife Laura gave birth to their son Emil.

The offensive player also lost her regular place in the national team after the World Cup in Australia.

»From now on the sporting focus is only on VfL Wolfsburg.

At the same time, I’m looking forward to more time for and with my family at home.«

“Svenja Huth’s contributions to women’s football and the women’s national team are huge,” said national coach Horst Hrubesch.

»I really enjoyed working with her, also because she has strong opinions.

I hate to lose her in our circle, but of course I respect her decision.«

Huth had already celebrated some successes with the DFB's U-teams.

The outside player made her debut in the senior national team on October 26, 2011 against Sweden (1-0).

At the 2022 European Championship final, Huth led the DFB team onto the field as captain, representing the injured Alexandra Popp.

ara/dpa/sid